In Fort Wayne, the Police Department is taking a clear stance on domestic violence, emphasizing the array of forms abuse can take beyond the physical. A recent social media post from the department highlighted the issue, citing behaviors like control, isolation, intimidation, and digital monitoring as alarming signs. "Domestic violence can happen to anyone — regardless of age, gender, race, or income. It isn’t always physical. Abuse can also be emotional, verbal, financial, sexual, or digital," the police reminded the community in a post. Help, they insist, is available for those in need.
Fort Wayne's Victim Assistance, part of the Police Department, offers to guide survivors through the legal system once a police report is filed. However, for those not ready to take that step, support can still be found. Organizations like YWCA Northeast Indiana and the National Domestic Violence Hotline provide imperative services without the precondition of engaging with law enforcement. The hotspot offers 24/7 crisis support, with immediate guidance accessible by calling 800-441-4073 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or by texting “START” to 88788. Additional information and resources are available online at their respective websites.
The weekly reminder from the Fort Wayne Police Department serves dual purposes: affirming the victims' right to safety and continually alerting the community to the prevalence of domestic violence. "You deserve to feel safe. You deserve support. You are not alone," reads the recurring message, driving home the imperative that no one should suffer in silence. For those in immediate danger, the advice remains unequivocal: call 911.
